Round Up: APA Awards, Blight Taxation, The Potential of Alleys, Temporary Renters, and Hot Dogs

Great Places in America: People's Choice
Not malls or strip centers, but American's have cast their vote for walkable commercial corridors to shop, district plazas to gather, and authentic neighborhoods to feel community. See the results in this year's APA people's choice.

D.C. Raises Taxes on Blighted Buildings
Blighted buildings plague many corridors and cities. The trend of blight property taxation continues to be a hot topic and a questionable driver of economic development. If it works in one city, can it be modeled in others? We will have to see.

Cities Start to See Potential in Alleys for Commercial Use
I had a great experience in Istanbul at an alleyway bar, which came to show that even overlooked alleys can serve a viable commercial purpose. Cities in the US are beginning to see this potential as well, adding availability and variety to the commercial mix. Learn more about what Downtown Pheonix is doing to activate their alleys. 

Freeman's Restaurant. Image: www.eateryrow.com

Are Commercial Renters Feeling Temporary Like Residents
As urban rents go up an increasing number of residents feel a sense of temporary status in the places they love to live. Are we seeing the same feelings in commercial renters?

Infographic: Charting America’s Hot Dog Obsession
I personally prefer taco trucks but Americans do love their hot dogs. Could commercial corridors benefit from these small purveyors of hot processed meats? They are a testament to pedestrian traffic and business clusters.

Roundup: "Brick & Mortar is Dead," Right Turns on Red, Local Loyalty, Grocers Disappearing Act, Neon Heaven

Brick & Mortar Is Dead

A short, graphic and infographic heavy, article regarding e-commerce's continued dominance over in-store shopping.  It introduces new terms "showrooming" and "webrooming" - I for one am guilty of showrooming. It also spotlights how brick and mortar stores are taking on new on-line connected purposes and highlights the rise of young global digital buyers.

It’s Time for U.S. Cities to Ban Right Turns on Red

Cars making right turns on red lights are becoming increasingly dangerous to pedestrians. NYC already bans RTOR and other cities are catching on to the policy to reduce unnecessary pedestrian deaths.

How Much Loyalty Do I Owe My Local Shops?

Point and counterpoint by CityLab staff regarding whether we should feel guilty for abandoning your local shop for an equivalent new one. They have good points to both sides.

Map: New York City's Disappearing Grocery Stores

Curbed NY gives you an interactive map of the growing number of NYC grocery stores that have shuttered in the last few years. These closures aare leaving some neighborhoods without an affordable option for groceries—or any option. They point out that many factors have led to these closures and a majority are in Brooklyn.

And in other news...
There’s A Neon Warehouse In London And It Is Basically Heaven
If your district could use the soft cool glow of neon, may we suggest this place.